Press Releases

With a width of just 7 mm and a height of 26 mm, the new micro-valve fits in miniature apparatus. The 7mm width makes it ideal for 9 mm titre plates, but it can also be installed in smaller spaces. For applications on dispensing arms, pipetting arms and dosing robots the low overall weight of the valve is an advantage. The power consumption of the WhisperValve is also low: in both switching and holding it uses less than 1 W, which eliminates the need for expensive, space-consuming electronics are needed for power reduction. The name of the micro-valve – WhisperValve – reveals another special property of the new media separated 2/2-way valve: with its non-impact actuator, it controls the flow rate very quietly. The new actuator is designed to operate at a sound level below 36 dB. The typical metal-to-metal contact noise of a solenoid valve is eliminated in the WhisperValve. This is an advantage not only for the patient, but also for the lab employee, who enjoys a quieter work environment.

Due to its compact size and excellent flushability, the new micro-valve is ideal for applications in lab environments. Typical examples of such applications are the analysis of blood or urine. The ideal flushing properties of the valve are achieved by a minimal internal volume, including the valve flange, of only 5 µl. This value is significantly lower than that of comparable valves of competitors. The accumulation of air bubbles, a frequent problem in smaller valves due to the poor flushability, has been effectively minimized by Burkert in the new valve. With a pressure differential of 1 bar, the longest dwell time of a fluid is 5 ms. In addition to high dosing precision, the requirement for exact flow rates is also increasing in diagnostics and other applications. For manufacturers of fluid control components, that means increasing the power density of the actuators, so that smaller valves can also switch high pressures. Compared to similar sized valves the pressure working range of Type 6712 is very high, at 3 bar (0.3 MPa) during switching and 8 bar (0.8 MPa) during the flushing process of the open valve.

Dialysis, ventilation and the use of pipetting arms are typical applications where nearly all liquids and gases can be used in medical technology thanks to EPDM, FKM or FFKM membranes. The Type 6712 is ideal for all point-of-use or point-of-care applications because it sets a new standard in speed, size, acoustic volume and cleanability.

Burkert's new micro dosing unit Type 7615 – a high-precision diaphragm pump for exact dosing of liquids in the µl range – is the fluid technology specialist's latest addition to its product portfolio for analytical, bio-medical and medical applications. The micro dosing unit, comprising of three valves, doses 5 µl in one stroke with a accuracy of +/- 2%. The maximum flow rate is 8 ml/min in both directions.

Burkert's micro dosing unit, developed especially for dosing of neutral and aggressive liquids in the µl range, combines maximum precision and extremely high chemical resistance. The pump comprises of three valves – one inlet and outlet valve, respectively, and a third valve for the pump function. If necessary, all three valves can be opened and flushed simultaneously. The active inlet and outlet valves allow for bi-directional pumping. This enables the user to mix media in the hose or channel or to keep media in constant motion to prevent sedimentation, for example. In addition, the pump has dry running capabilities and even continues pumping if there is gas in the medium. An integrated heating function allows for warming of the valves and of the medium if needed, to ensure functional reliability also at low temperatures.

The flow rate can be changed by the frequency. In addition to the standard frequency of 5 Hz, the pump also operates at frequencies of 10 Hz, 25 Hz and 40 Hz. The Burkert micro dosing unit is ideal as a replacement for syringe pumps, for example. Other applications are in analytical lab instruments, water analysis and applications for dosing of lubricants.

Due to the increasing importance of space considerations, fluid performance and energy saving potentials, customized solutions are constantly becoming more complex, accompanied by higher component requirements. The new cartridge valve (Type 6164) from Burkert simplifies pneumatic piloting controls through optimal integration of a pilot valve in block solutions and plastic injection molded components. Due to its uncompromising reliability, above-average service life and efficient performance, this valve is setting new standards.

Install and forget – this is the best way to describe the new standard cartridge valve from Burkert. The fluidics engineers from Ingelfingen, Germany have developed a 3/2-way valve with guaranteed reliability and a long life cycle, due to the use of high-quality materials. The compact size of the cartridge valves makes them ideal for the use within block solutions, in which case the valves do not have to be mounted completely on the blocks; instead, they can easily be integrated via “plug and play”. This saves costs on materials and reduces the overall weight and size of the system or device. In addition to the use as the “core” of future Burkert valve islands, the valve is also suitable for use in medical instruments. Due to numerous certifications and compliance with conformities, they can be used in dental technology applications or in oxygen control units such as in mechanical ventilation.

The standard cartridge valve scores points due to the high flow rate and pressure rate, as well as the good seat seal and diversity of versions. The long life cycle and reliability of the valve are confirmed by more than 100 million switching cycles. The switching times for opening and closing of the valve are around 10 ms at a pressure of 1 bar and a temperature of 20 °C. The highly reliable valve is available in orifice size from 0.5 to 1.2 mm and with operating voltage of 12 and 24 V DC. The standard version covers the pressure range from -0.8 to 10 bar with a power consumption of less than 0.7 W. The valve body is made of PEEK and the seal of FKM.

Bukert Life Science releases Microfluidic valves with Twin Power technology, now available in three sizes – 10mm, 16mm, and 22mm. Twin Power technology combines the industry-proven rocker principle with a highly innovative new actuator. This dual-solenoid design allows the use of a smaller valve with lower power consumption and improved reliability, without sacrificing performance.

Smaller, faster, stronger. Twin Power valves have the flow and pressure resistance typically found in larger valves, making them ideal for applications where space is critical or higher performance is needed. The 10mm Twin Power valve is available with an orifice size up to 1.6mm and pressure resistance up to 5bar (73psi). The 16 and 22mm Twin Power valves are available with 3.0mm orifice, with pressure resistance up to 2 bar (29psi) for the 16mm valve and up to 5bar (73psi) for the 22mm valve.

In addition to size reduction, the Twin Power design gives the advantage of integrated power-reducing (“hit and hold”) electronics. This decreases energy consumption by 75 percent and reduces the risk of heat transfer between the coil and the media.

Further benefits of the new Twin Power rocker valves include a more robust separating diaphragm and a low dead volume fluid cavity, resulting in less carryover, better flushability, and better cleanability. By offering high performance wetted materials, such as PEEK, FFKM (Simrez and Kalrez), FKM, and EPDM, Twin Power valves can handle most aggressive fluids without deterioration or loss of performance.

Available in both 2-way and 3-way versions, Burkert’s microfluidic valves with Twin Power technology can replace virtually any standard valves in the marketplace, reducing space and power consumption without sacrificing reliability or performance.